I will soon be trading in my faded, grotty old backpack from my school days for something more professional looking. I will need something that can carry a small [15'] laptop and few other things. A portfolio, a couple of books, a small MP3 player and maybe an umbrella
I think I'd prefer a messenger-style bag, but would consider a backpack. It needs to be black, durable and very plain looking (and not leather) and reasonably waterproof (or water resistant in that the insides won't get soaked if it's exposed to rain for 3-5 minutes). Professional but not expensive looking.
I've poked around a few places, and I'm amazed by how huge of a price range there is for this sort of thing.
Anyone want to help me navigate through the options.
I would like:
a) feedback on what options are a must (or nice) to have [and esp. what to stay away from] and b) any specific recommendations that fit in the $40-90 range [although I might be convinced to go up to $120]
If I had the money, I'd go for the WT Vertical Messenger, but I'd like something cheaper. I don't need a brand name. I don't need something fancy. As long as it is of good quality and professional looking, it's good.
Thanks.
Posted by Chanie (Member # 9544) on :
I would recommend going to a local luggage store and just looking at the options. There are all kinds of different features (types of pockets, types of straps, how the laptop goes in, etc). All which are personal preference.
eBags has a bunch of bags for a good price. They also have a nice search option, that lets you pick price ranges, etc.
I don't know your gender, but there are quite a few nice women's bags too.
Posted by xtownaga (Member # 7187) on :
I've had a very good experience with the targus bag that came with a used laptop I got years ago. It's old enough they don't still make that particular case, but this looks like more or less the new version of it. Other than that I don't really have any advice, that bag has worked well enough for me that I've really never looked into anything else.
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
When I had a 15" laptop, I had this bag. I loved it.
I have not gone to a bigger bag since I got my 17" laptop. I have a sachel bag that came with it and it kills my shoulder.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
That's a good idea, Chanie. I do plan on doing it, but I like to investigate before I go into the store because I have found that sometimes luggage stores only cater to specific styles and/or price ranges. Same is true with some sports stores -- like REI.
Thanks xtow and borjack -- I had never heard of Targus. They offer a lot of different options. I'll have to find a store that stocks a lot of examples from their line.
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
I found the one I liked on-line then e-bayed it. I think I saved about $20-25.
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
Timbuk2 bags may be out of your price range, I'm not sure. However I've had one for 4 years and love it (no rips or tears). You can get them in all black and they're waterproof. A lot of people in my department (computer science) have them and seem to like them. I bought mine without the laptop option because I just have a nice padded sleeve for my laptop.
I specifically like them because they don't scream laptop bag.
Oooh. Cool. I may have to move up into the $80 range because I also want room for a couple of books and other reading/writing materials. It seems like a lot of those in the $40-60 range don't have much room books.
I like the Timbuk2's the Blogger -- but what a silly name (even if I am one).
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
I also have friends who like these. Although the site drives me nuts. I have a small bag of theirs as a purse and it's also quite nice.
I think that site is cute, but it's basically textbook for being completely unusable and for what happens when you hand the site over to the graphic designer.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Totally agree with that, kat. At first I couldn't even figure out how to find the bags -- I had to open up the pdf version of the catalog.
Posted by rollainm (Member # 8318) on :
Well, I was going to suggest the one I have - my fiancee and I both have one actually - but I can't seem to find it anymore. It's a Western Pack 15" laptop bag with just enough room for everything you mentioned. I bought them both on ebay from this seller, but they don't seem to be carrying it anymore.
Anyway, if you can find one from a reputable seller, it fits your price range (I think it was about $40). It's very durable and has worked great for me over the past year.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I have had great success with eBags and Targus, both of which were already mentioned.
Posted by theamazeeaz (Member # 6970) on :
I have one of these. A little out of your price ($129) range and kinda heavy. I won mine in a contest rather recently, and tomorrow will the the first chance I have to really test it out..
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
Targus has been good to me and my brother-in-law, but I can't say I've sampled a wide range.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Thanks everybody.
I'm going to look very closely at Targus. There are some funky, fun bags out there. I'm going to play it pretty conservative, though. Targus and Timbuk2* are at the top of the list so far**.
I also came to the realization that if I am indeed willing to spend up to $80-90, I could go with a normal bag and use a laptop sleeve. I'm pretty careful with my stuff, and it might be nice to be able to have a lighter-style bag to use when I don't have the laptop.
* I paid close attention to people's bags on BART last night. I made the same observation that I have already made with jackets/coats. Men suck at choosing bags and jackets. Even if they're normal work outfits are well put together, they have jackets and bags that are way too casual or funky or are of poor quality [and meanwhile they have expensive phones and laptops so they could afford the good stuff] or are just lame.
** Although I haven't given up hope of figuring out how I can justify a Tom Bihn.
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
quote:Originally posted by Zalmoxis: * I paid close attention to people's bags on BART last night. I made the same observation that I have already made with jackets/coats. Men suck at choosing bags and jackets. Even if they're normal work outfits are well put together, they have jackets and bags that are way too casual or funky or are of poor quality [and meanwhile they have expensive phones and laptops so they could afford the good stuff] or are just lame.
Some of us just don't care much for styling. I grew up at the low end of economic scale. We only got name brand clothes at Christmas (usually one or two pair or Levi's). I knew I would never fit in with the preppy crowd, so I didn't try. With the measured success I have had in my adult life has afforded me the opportunity to have nicer things. Style still does not matter to me though. Function does. My wife can not stand it (she is a clothes horse). I want a nice looking bag, but the function of it is much more important. I didn't like the two piece bag because it takes two steps to get the laptop in/out. The simple backpack was unzip and go.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I'm also a fan of the Timbuk2 bags.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
I grew up at the low end of economic scale too, brojack17. In my house the knee patches on Toughskins jeans weren't just for style -- and were sometimes replaced.
I'm all for not paying for something that's expensive just because of the label. I'm also very, very into functionality. What I tend to want (in everything -- clothes, shoes, bags, kitchen stuff, electronics) are products that are well-made from quality materials, not expensive and combine nice, clean lines and design and are available in basic colors.
What I hate is that it seems like it is more and more difficult to find that sort of thing. The high end stuff is way too expensive -- and often too fussy (or even surprisingly -- from cheaper materials than it should be) and the mid-range stuff gets all funky with the details and/or the options because I guess that's supposed to make up for not being high-end. And the cheap stuff is just cheap. I don't mind doing cheap for some things, but I like to buy things that I will use until they wear out (hopefully 5-20 years from time of purchase).
It's frustrating. I am willing to shop at Walmart, Marshall's, Target, JC Pennys and even up to Macys. Most of my wardrobe these days comes from Costco.
So anyway, I guess I'm saying that I don't bag on functionality at all. I just don't understand why so many things for men have that extra styling [buttons or piping or oddly colored panel or added seams or weird texture to the material] that just doesn't look that great.
Of course, that's simply a reflection of my aesthetic, but I get the sense that the trappings are there to distract from poor design/construction.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I can give Targus a big thumbs up on quality. My laptop bag is still in great shape after 10 years. For the last year and a half I haven't used it much, but, prior to that, I used it every single day to commute to work or to go to law school. It fit two casebooks plus the laptop and accessories easily.
It was a basic black model with no styling whatsoever. Reinforced straps, strong, easy zippers.
I haven't used them recently, but based on my experience, I'll start with them next time I need a laptop bag.
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
I am making my own. Crocheted and felted with leftover yarn.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Thanks, Dag.
And: that's cool kmbboots -- what color(s)? I would guess crocheting and felting with a basic black isn't really done. Or at least I haven't seen it done.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Thanks again for all your help. As it turns out, I have been provided with a laptop case + shoulder strap(a basic Targus one -- it's very nice), and I also won't be taking my laptop home with me very much so I decided to go with a non-laptop bag that will meet my other needs.
I got the Victorinox vertical messenger bag. I like the vertical orientation. I know some people have some concerns with the magnets that secure the flap, but I don't carry anything that will be affected by that.
I looked very closely at some Timbuk2 bags, but in the end the Victorinox offered more functionality for the price.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Felting is verymuch done with basic black, though often it will have a tiny skull and cross bones.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Timbuk2 is awesome. I'm thinking about getting the blogger to replace my manufacturer's case (Dell, for my work laptop -- the bag's just not durable enough for offshore trips).
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
Mine is almost done. I've crocheted in "pockets" that I have stuffed with fiberfill and stuffed the center part of the strap as well. I used various left over yarn doubled with lamb's pride. It is blue and green and marroon and forest green and teal and red and lavender and moss green and pink...
The colours all go together pretty well and it is fun to have bits of old projects all "present".
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
I love my black nylon Targus backpack. It's on the low end of laptop bags pricewise and is comfortable, well-padded, has lots of good file and accessory pockets, etc. They have them at Office Max and Office Depot.
Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
Damn Miami weather... I need to find a laptop bag that's waterproof. The laptop's area is safe, but damned if my documents have become illegible due to moisture.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
breyerchic: That is so cool. I had no idea what the form entailed. Who would not want one of these?
kmbboots: Post a link to a picture!
Nighthawk: Isn't not having to carry paper files the point of hauling a laptop around?
JT: I liked the Timbuk2 bags a lot, but because of the way I commute, I really needed a zippered pocket on the flap and the Timbuk2 messenger bags at REI didn't have those.
Posted by Architraz Warden (Member # 4285) on :
I've had the normal (non-vertical) WT Messenger bag for over two years now, and still love it.
And no, I really couldn't afford the brand name but I'll usually shell out a few extra bucks for Victorinox items until one of them fails me.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Glad you found something you like, Zalmoxis.
Here at work, several of them have THESE (which are actually much nicer than you can tell from the photo there). I like them a lot.
My daughter carries hers around in One of these which I think is absolutely hideous, but she loves it.
Farmgirl
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
If I might jump in with my own dilemma...
I'm entering a graduate program in a sharp-dressing department, and I'll probably be needing to dress at the business casual level (I'm a girl). I need a nice looking, professional bag to carry my laptop, textbooks, and journal articles. The bag also has to be sturdy enough to handle a 30-minute walk (when I don't take the shuttle) in different weather, and it'd be a plus if it was pretty comfortable as well. I already have a couple of bags, but they either don't look professional enough, or can't carry everything I need them to.
I was thinking about a black leather messenger bag, but I haven't had a lot of luck finding one big enough that's still in my price range ($100-$150ish). If anyone has any ideas, I'd really appreciate it.
Posted by Shawshank (Member # 8453) on :
Uprooted- I know for a fact that Staples carries lots of Targus bags. I know at my store probably about 25 different ones I would say.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Jahi:
I feel for you. Large capacity bags that also look professional are hard to come by. To be honest, what I've seen used in these situations are rolling bags. But I hate those.
I also wonder if you'd be better off with a nice looking back pack. A laptop and files is fine in a messenger bag. But toss in a textbook or two and it gets to be a bit much.
I'm sure you can get cheaper, better bags, but since I know most about Victorinox...
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